ATU launches earn-and-learn course

Atlantic Technological University and Ireland’s Health Service Executive have launched a two-year, part-time Higher Diploma in Science in Medical Science for staff already working in hospital laboratories. (hse.ie) The programme was announced on April 27, 2026 and was developed by ATU’s Medical Science Programme Board with the HSE under their West and North West memorandum of understanding. (hse.ie) (atu.ie) It is aimed at medical laboratory aides who already hold a Level 8 degree in a relevant science discipline and want to qualify as medical scientists through a graduate-entry route. (hse.ie) (atu.ie) Students stay in paid employment while they study, with blended delivery designed for full-time workers and a 1,000-hour practice placement requirement in the second year. (atu.ie) Medical scientists are the lab professionals who analyze blood, tissue and other samples used to diagnose disease and monitor treatment in hospitals. (atu.ie) (hse.ie) The shortage the programme targets is not new. The HSE said vacancy levels for medical scientists have remained high across the health system, especially outside major urban centres. (hse.ie) (saolta.ie) Under the Sponsored Medical Scientist Training Programme, the HSE has committed €2.44 million to fund 120 places at ATU Galway over the next five years. (atu.ie) (hse.ie) ATU said the diploma has now received CORU accreditation, which matters because medical scientists in Irish hospitals must be registered with CORU to practice. (atu.ie) (coru.ie) ATU President Orla Flynn said the model could serve as a “blueprint” for other workforce programmes, while HSE West and North West Regional Executive Officer Tony Canavan said recruitment challenges in medical science are ongoing. (hse.ie) Most places are reserved for HSE-sponsored applicants working as medical laboratory assistants in HSE or HSE-funded laboratories, and ATU says demand is high enough that meeting entry requirements does not guarantee admission. (atu.ie) The course gives the HSE a way to train future medical scientists without pulling experienced lab staff off the bench, and ATU a new accredited route into a profession hospitals say they need. (hse.ie) (atu.ie)